In
1941, Winston Churchill realized that if the Allies were to win the war, a
new type of ship needed to be designed and constructed.A ship that could land directly on the beaches of Africa and Europe
and discharge troops and equipment.This
ship became the Landing Ship, Tank or LST.

But
the United States was already at war and there was a shortage of men in
the shipyards.It was the
women that went to the shipyards and built the LSTs.

These
women were not riveters —they
were welders.

These
are the stories, remembered 60 years later, of the women welders who built
the LSTs and the men who sailed on them.

Reviews

“Yours is the
best book I have seen on LST’s. It covers more ground, and gives the reader the
best possible insight into just what this ship, the civilians who built it, the
sailors who sailed it, and the thousands of troops who were carried aboard, all
benefited from the dedicated efforts of each other.” – Lester Parker, LST
743

"Your book is just great. It covers those turbulent times of good and bad
memories in the lives of men and women." - Hichael Nedeff, LST 610/LST
325

"Apart from the personal stories, as interesting as they are, what your book
reveals is the incredible geographic span of the U.S. wartime machine. LSTs were
made across the entire country. Prior to reading "Don't Call Me Rosie," my
impression was that the Portland/Vancouver facilities only built liberty ships.
Another satisfying aspect of the book is its post-launching follow-ups. It gave
the LSTs and other vessels histories of their own. This has been reserved only
for capital ships, and one famous PT boat. Also impressive was the section on
the nearly forgotten Korean War. Except for the hardly representative M.A.S.H
film and TV show, Americans know nothing about this war, or that it was largely
fought with major naval operations. You have not only revealed how important the
workers were, but equally the importance of the vessels they built in winning
the war."– William Stewart,
Vancouver, WA

Review of
Don’t Call Me Rosie

by
Evelyn Brown

The author, educated and trained as an engineer, used her skill in research and
attention to detail to produce an interesting and informative story.

Personal stories are told of young women during WWII who welded LSTs and the
crewmen who sailed these Landing Ships in combat. Their story is interwoven
with the history of decision-makers who saw the need for a landing ship design
which could bring troops and equipment close to shore. This story has not often
been told and never before with the personal connection which the author has
shown.

The book begins with the author’s narration of stories from her family members,
who as young women, worked as welders building the LSTs. Perspective of the
importance of LSTs is given by quotations from Winston Churchill’s memoirs and
military communications.

The experiences of veterans who sailed LSTs are recounted from their very
personal memories. Noted are the training exercises, especially Exercise Tiger,
and combat operations in Europe and in the Pacific. Always interspersed are
memories of the role of the young women who welded the ships.

Stories of LST transport duties in Korea are told. Prisoners, refugees, and the
sick and wounded were transported. Finally the author notes the importance of
women’s successful work in “men’s jobs” and how this experience changed the face
of America and opened opportunities to the next generation of women.